Nancheng Chinese Yam

Nancheng Chinese Yam

Nancheng Chinese Yam is a protected product under the Agricultural Product Geographical Indication system.

　　The Ministry of Agriculture issued an announcement approving "Nancheng Chinese Yam" as a protected product under the Agricultural Product Geographical Indication system. This marks another locally produced agricultural product in Nancheng County to receive national-level geographical indication protection.

　　Nancheng County in Jiangxi Province is situated in central East China, featuring a mild climate, abundant sunshine, ample rainfall, and distinct seasons. It provides a naturally superior environment for Chinese yam production and is one of the country’s top three Chinese yam production bases. The county has a long history of cultivating and processing Chinese yams. In recent years, large-scale cultivation of Chinese yams has thrived, with strong market demand and favorable economic returns, greatly motivating local farmers and meeting production and processing needs. The county has established 40,000 mu of industrialized Chinese yam production bases and built processing facilities such as Chinese yam processing plants. It produces 80,000 tons of high-quality fresh Chinese yam annually and processes 40,000 tons.

　　Chinese yam, also known as Dioscorea opposita, is a tuberous plant used both as a vegetable and in traditional medicine. Modern medical research shows that Chinese yam is highly nutritious, rich in starch, protein, and various amino acids and vitamins essential to the human body. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Chinese yam has unique medicinal properties, including strengthening the spleen, nourishing the lungs, fortifying the kidneys, and enriching essence. It offers significant therapeutic benefits for digestive system diseases and diabetes. Moreover, Chinese yam grows in unpolluted soil, making it a truly natural green food. It combines culinary delight, health benefits, and beauty enhancement, and also helps resist oxygen deficiency, hence earning the reputation of "natural ginseng."

　　Kangjia Chinese Yam Food Co., Ltd. in the county has developed a range of products—including Chinese yam nutritional powder, Chinese yam slices, and Chinese yam puffed snacks—using formulas developed by the School of Biological Science and Engineering at Nanchang University. These products combine food and medicinal uses, are convenient and hygienic, have a smooth and delicious taste, and boast appealing color, aroma, and flavor, winning widespread favor among consumers and the market.

　　Nancheng County has a long history of Chinese yam cultivation. According to the Nancheng County Annals, cultivation began during the Tang Dynasty, dating back over 1,300 years, and became widespread during the Qing Dynasty under Emperor Qianlong. Currently, the county maintains a stable planting area of over 15,000 mu, making it the largest Chinese yam production base in Jiangxi Province and one of the top three in the country.

　　It is reported that Chinese yam has become a major pillar industry in the county, generating an annual output value of over 80 million yuan. The successful application for geographical indication protection of "Nancheng Chinese Yam" is of great significance in enhancing its market competitiveness.

　　Nancheng Chinese Yam

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographic area for the Nancheng Chinese Yam Agricultural Product Geographical Indication includes regions within Nancheng County, Jiangxi Province, along the Gan River, covering Litai Town, Jianchang Town, Wanfang Town, Zhuliang Town, Xinfengjie Town, Shangtang Town, Tianjingyuan Township, Hongmen Town, Longhu Town, Shazhou Town, and Xujia Township. The geographic coordinates are between 116°24′–116°57′ east longitude and 27°18′–27°47′ north latitude. The total production area exceeds 15,000 mu, with an annual output of 2,280 tons. The specific protected areas include the following 11 townships (towns): Litai Town, Jianchang Town, Wanfang Town, Zhuliang Town, Xinfengjie Town, Shangtang Town, Tianjingyuan Township, Hongmen Town, Longhu Town, Shazhou Town, and Xujia Township.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　As part of Jiangxi Province’s standardization strategy, the Nancheng County Agriculture Bureau, as the main drafting entity, formulated the "Fresh Chinese Yam" (DB36/T 426-2004) standard, which was established as a Jiangxi Provincial Local Standard in 2004. 1. External Sensory Characteristics: Nancheng Chinese Yam is cylindrical in shape, typically 50–60 cm in length and weighing 600–800 g. It has a light brown color, fine roots on the surface, no abnormal spots, a firm texture, and a snow-white cross-section with abundant mucus. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Nancheng Chinese Yam is highly nutritious, rich in starch, and contains protein, fat, various vitamins required by the human body, 18 types of amino acids, as well as minerals and trace elements such as calcium, zinc, iron, iodine, copper, and manganese. As a vegetable, Nancheng Chinese Yam is tender, smooth, and uniquely flavorful, making it a delicious dish. Per 100 g of fresh Chinese yam, starch content ranges from 14.5% to 20%, crude protein from 2.0% to 2.5%, vitamin C from 6.5 mg to 10 mg, ash content from 0.40% to 0.55%, and crude fiber from 0.30% to 0.42%. (See table below [omitted]) 3. Safety Requirements: The quality of Nancheng Chinese Yam complies with the "Pollution-Free Vegetable – Tuber and Root Vegetables" (NY5221-2005) standard, Jiangxi Province’s "DB36/T426-2004 Fresh Chinese Yam" standard, the People’s Republic of China Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law, and the State Council’s Special Provisions on Strengthening the Supervision and Management of Food and Other Product Safety, among other relevant regulations and laws. The growing environment of Nancheng Chinese Yam meets the requirements of NY/T391-2000 "Pollution-Free Vegetable – Growing Environment Conditions for Vegetables." Irrigation water complies with GB5084-92 "Quality Standards for Farmland Irrigation Water." The yams are planted in deep, loose sandy loam soil that is well-drained and irrigated, with low groundwater levels and good sunlight exposure, meeting the environmental standards of GB15618-1995 "Soil Environmental Quality Standards." Ambient air quality should comply with the first-class standards outlined in GB3059-82 "Ambient Air Quality Standards."